Single Clamping During Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Reduces Postoperative Stroke

Abstract

Purpose: Postoperative stroke rates in coronary artery bypass grafting have been reduced with off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB). The degree and methods of aortic manipulation is an ongoing area of conjecture to minimise postoperative stroke rates. We hypothesise that minimising biphasic hypertensive episodes with a single-clamp technique will correlate with an overall low stroke risk. We aim to determine whether the incidence of postoperative stroke could be reduced by using single aortic clamping during OPCAB.